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National Health Advisory On Radon |
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Written by SuperMold
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National Health Advisory On Radon
With a national health advisory today American public was warned about
the risks of breathing indoor radon. The advisory is meant to urge
Americans to prevent this silent radioactive gas from seeping into
their homes and building up to dangerous levels.Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United
States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a
significant health risk. Radon is an invisible, odorless and tasteless
gas, with no immediate health symptoms, it comes from the
breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Simple test kits can reveal the
amount of radon in any building. Those with high levels can be fixed
with simple and affordable venting techniques. According to U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, one in every 15 homes
nationwide have a high radon level.
Radon gas in the indoor air of America's homes poses a serious health
risk. More than 20,000 Americans die of radon-related lung cancer every
year. Millions of homes have an elevated radon level. If you also
smoke, your risk of lung cancer is much higher.
Americans need to know about the risks of indoor radon and have the
information and tools they need to take action. If families do find
elevated levels in their homes, they can take inexpensive steps that
will reduce exposure to this risk.
We can expect that many of the homes owned or financed by federal
government programs would have potentially elevated radon levels. The
federal government has an opportunity to lead by example on this public
health risk.
A national Public Service Announcement was released to television
stations across America in January, National Radon Action Month. Watch Video
The problem is affecting our children's health as millions of homes and
apartments and one in five schools in America have indoor air quality
problems. Asthma alone accounts for 14 million missed school days each
year. The rate of asthma in young children has risen by 160 percent in
the past 15 years, and today one out of every 13 school-age children
has asthma. |
